Duke of Edinburgh: Busy itinerary in ‘selfless service’ visit

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh pictured at the Giant's Causeway with Neville McConchie, National Trust Ranger.'Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Published:11:18Thursday 04 May 2017

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The Causeway Coast and Glens area had the honour of hosting a memorable visit by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh just under a year ago.

In a busy end of June itinerary the Royal party travelled to the Giant’s Causeway as part of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh pictured at Coleraine rail station for their North Coast steam train journey in 2016. 'Picture By: Arthur Allison.

The monarch and Duke of Edinburgh, 94, braved blustery conditions to view the landmark Unesco World Heritage site.

Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh were also the guests of the Mayor, Alderman Maura Hickey, at a civic lunch in Royal Portrush Golf Club - where the 2019 Open championship will be staged.

The theme of the lunch, attended by local representatives of the RNLI and Community Rescue Service, was the “voluntary and selfless service of citizens”.

Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh, who is stepping down from public duties this Autumn, completed four engagements in the borough, unveiling the Robert Quigg VC statue in the centre of Bushmills and also travelled on a No 85 Merlin steam train to Bellarena at the conclusion of the visit.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Coleraine .'PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON

It was the second Royal visit to the area in two years. In 2014, the Queen and Prince Philip laid a wreath at Coleraine Cenotaph and met members of the Royal British Legion from Northern Ireland and the Republic. The event commemorated the start of the First World War.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh meet local people in Coleraine in June 2014. Pic:Paul Faith